LANKA EXCURSIONS HOLIDAYS
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Divulwewa - with Sri Lanka's second Samadhi Buddha in situ

Komarikawela Buddha statue in Divulwewa in Sri Lanka
Divulwewa is a rarely visited archaeological site 36 km west of Anuradhapura and 33 km north of Ritigala, as the crow flies. It's situated close to the Hamillewa-Galenbindunuwewa road (B133), in only 250 m distance from the Komarikawala Junction, where a signboard of the Archaeological Department is posted. The village and tank of the same name (Diwul Wewa) is situated further west, in 1 km distance from the archaeological site. Don't confuse this place with Aluth Divulwewa, which is further south, closer to Yakalla.

Driving distance from my guesthouse, First House Mihintale, to the archeological site of Divulwewa  is 35 km. Divulwewa and the nearbe Kokabe are actually places that deserve to be called off the beaten path. You will never find large groups of sightseeing tourists and almost never backpackers in this area, as such hidden treasures are neither included in itineraries of big international companies nor mentioned in pocket guides.
ruins in Divulwewa in Sri Lanka
Divulwewa has an excavated ancient monastery, which is believed to have once housed hundreds of monks. The ancient name of the site is Komarikawela. Brick foundations of typical ancient temple structures such as a large preaching hall, an image house, monks's dwellings can be found on the former temple grounds. Also urinal stones and stones used for dyeing monk's robes can be seen. The most striking features are a library on stone pillars and a kitchen with a stone sink. The buidings are from the mid Anuradhapura period, from the 3rd to 6th century. Some remnants such as buildings on pillars could have been built in the much later Kandy period.

Sri Lanka's second Samadhi Buddha statue in Divulwewa
Divulwewa's main attraction is a very ancient Buddha statue carved out of sandstone, presumably from the 3rd or 4th century A.D. Known as the Komarikawela Buddha, it is one of the very few Buddha statues of this size and quality that is still in situ, now placed unter a newly constructed canopy. It's in a very good state of preservation, except from the broken nose. Almost all other Buddha statues that are of such significance and high value, are protected in museums. However, most travellers know: In Sri Lanka, there is one very famous statue of similar size still in situ, namely the Samadhi Buddha of Mahamevuna Uyana in Anuradhapura. The Samadhi Buddha of Divulwewa is somewhat its twin brother, albeit neither of the very same design.     

Confusingly, a smaller statue, not far from the Samadhi Buddha and within the Abhayagiri compound in Anuradhapura, is sometimes also called "Second Samadhi Buddha", dispite the fact that it does not display Samadhi Mudra. Therefore, let's claim that Sri Lanka's one and only and true "Second Samadhi Buddha" is that in Divulwewa. The two Samadhi statues, the famous one of Anuradhapura and its brother in Divulwewa, are believed to have been carved during the same period and measure more than 2 m in height. Thereby, the Komarikawela statue of Diwulwewa, measuring 2,13 m, is one of the largest free-standing ancient statues found in Sri Lanka.  

Other provenances of significant statues are also less-known sites, such as Kosgahawulpota, Hebassa, Seruwawila, Pul Eliya, Tambalagallewa, Kuda Ambagaswewa, Moragoda, Mahapotane, Komarikawela, Konketiya. As mentioned, most of those statues are in museums for safekeeping now.

The Samadhi gesture of the Komarikawela statue of Divulwewa and its posture called Virasana are both typical of Sri Lankan Buddha statues. However, there are some uncommon features. The garment is almost invisible and, in contrast to other statues found on the island, the robe is depicted without folds. The belly is even wider than that of other Sri Lankan statues, which are more massy than classical Indian statues in general.

According to local sayings, the statue was once covered by a mound, only the head popping out. After it was discovered, a herd of wild elephants is said to have removed trees overgrowing the spot.

Next to the monastic complex is a burial site where ashes of dead monks have been overed with slabs. However, it seems to have been used even in pre-Buddhist times. Megalithic stone cists have also been found in the nearby Kokabe.

Close to the burial site is Hettuwela Tank. As mentioned, the tank called Diwul Wewa is further west.

stone receptacle in Divulwewa
stone receptacle in Divulwewa
stone-carved urinal stone
stone-carved urinal stone
stone cist at the prehistoric burial site
stone cist at the prehistoric burial site
Why travel with Lanka Excursions Holidays?

+ We are a local agency owned and run by Sri Lankans, not part of international holdings
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Our ambition is to provide high-quality information in preparation of your Sri Lanka holidays
... and even more superb travel experiences

we also run our own guesthouse near Anuradhapura:
First House Mihintale
First House Mihintale
87, Missaka Mawatha, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka.
0094 71 6097795
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if not stated otherwise, texts and photos provided  by Ernst A. Sundermann, sales manager of Lanka Excursions Holidays
all rights reserved, © 2016 Lanka Excursion Holidays
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Terms
    • payments
    • по-русски
  • About
  • Info
    • Where is Sri Lanka
    • Names of Sri Lanka
    • Travel Regions >
      • Cultural Triangle images
      • Central Highlands images
      • Western Plains images
      • Southwest Wet Zone images
      • Deep South images
      • Eastern Shores images
      • Northern Province images
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten path >
      • highly recommended
      • around Colombo
      • around Yapahuwa
      • around Anuradhapura
      • around Jaffna
      • around Trincomalee
      • around Polonnaruwa
      • around Sigiriya
      • around Kandy
      • around Nuwara Eliya
      • around Arugam Bay
      • around Hambantota
      • around Bentota
      • all over Sri Lanka
    • Things to do
    • Slide Show >
      • Famous Places Slide Show
      • Less-known Sites Slide Show
    • Directory
  • Tours
    • 4-days classic
    • 8 days tour
    • 4 weeks honeymoon tour
    • your-price-choice
    • 3 days 2 nights
    • 4 days 3 nights
    • Sri Lanka Transport Service
    • 7 days with 4 hikes
    • 10 days with 7 hikes
    • 2-days trek Knuckles-5-Peaks
    • 15 days with 7 means of travel
    • Bentota beach holidays
    • Nilaveli beach holidays
    • Services >
      • Outdoor Anuradhapura
    • Tripadvisor
    • Cambodia
    • Nepal
    • deutsch >
      • 15 days with 3 surf beaches
  • Mihintale
    • Mihintale attractions
    • Guesthouse Rooms
    • Rent my Villa
    • Activities around Mihintale
    • Picnic at Kaludiya Pokuna
    • car
    • Day trips by car
    • Mihintale-sightseeing
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  • Culture
    • Food >
      • Rice
      • Breakfast
      • Kottu Roti
      • Pasta Sri Lanka style
      • Rice Noodles Sri Lanka style
      • Egg-fried rice Sri Lanka style
    • Tea
    • Ayurveda
  • Destinations
    • World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka >
      • Anuradhapura World Heritage Site
      • Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site
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      • Kandy Sacred City
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      • Trincomalee
      • Ratnapura
      • Batticaloa
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      • Hambantota
      • Puttalam
      • Chilaw
      • Matara
      • Avissawella
      • Badulla
      • Tissamaharama
      • Kalmunai
      • Embilipitiya
      • Habarana
      • Kilinochchi
      • Pottuvil
      • Giritale
    • Sacred Places >
      • Kataragama
      • Mahiyangana
      • Seruwila
      • Somawathiya
      • Sita Eliya
      • Maha Saman Devale
      • Kelaniya
      • Munneshvaram
      • Kanniyai
      • Manavari
      • Adisham Hall
      • Madampe
      • Seenigama
      • Divurumpola
    • Ancient Temples >
      • Ritigala
      • Thiriyai
      • Yapahuwa
      • Haththikuchchi
      • Velgam Vehera
      • Medirigiriya
      • Sithulpahuwa
      • Pidurangala
      • Nalanda
      • Mulkirigala
      • Panduwasnuwara
      • Padeniya
      • Padavigampola
      • Namal Uyana
      • Arankale
      • Menikdena
      • Manakanda
      • Nillakgama Bodhigara
      • Panavitiya
      • Gadaladeniya Temple near Kandy
      • Lankatilaka
      • Embekke
      • Lahugala
      • Kudumbigala
      • Hanguranketa
      • Dambadeniya
      • Kiralagala
      • Kalupokuna
      • Degaldoruwa
      • Ramba Vihara
      • Medawala
      • Dadagamuwa
      • Buddhangala
      • Dematamal Viharaya
      • Pilikuttuwa
      • Dodanwela
      • Dimbulagala
      • Beligala
      • Bogoda
      • Barandiya Kovil
      • Kokabe
      • Divulwewa
      • Madagama
      • Pettagangala
      • Isenbessagala
      • Kuruwita
      • Koskandawala
      • Attanagalla
      • Alawwa
      • Awariyawala
      • Karagahagedara
    • Historical Caves >
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      • Salgala
      • Veheragala
      • Wavulpone
      • Sankapala
      • Varana
      • Aluvihara
      • Anamaduwa
      • Aluthepola
      • Maligatenna
      • Divaguhawa
      • Batadomba Lena
      • Beli Lena
      • Pahiyangala
      • Maradankadawala
      • Wilandagoda
    • Giant Stupas >
      • Yudaganawa
      • Dedigama
      • Dighavapi
    • Rock Buddha statues >
      • Gal Vihara
      • Aukana Buddha
      • Sasseruwa Buddha
      • Buduruwagala
      • Dowa
      • Maligawila
      • Ramboda
      • Kushtaraja Statue
      • Thanthirimale
      • Bakamuna
      • Maboda Temple
    • Mountains >
      • Adam's Peak
      • Horton Plains
      • Hunnasgiriya
      • Pidurutalagala
      • Knuckles Range
      • Sinharaja
      • Haputale
      • Ella
      • Namunukula
      • Deanston
      • Ambuluwawa
      • Bible Rock
      • Medamahanuwara
      • Hakgala
      • Kadugannawa
      • Uda Pussellawa
      • Passara
      • Retiyagama
      • Victoria Lake
    • Waterfalls >
      • Bambarakanda Falls
      • Diyaluma Falls
      • Dunhinda Falls
      • St. Clair's Falls
      • Devon Falls
      • Bopath Falls
      • Dodam Falls
      • Mannakethi Falls
      • Aberdeen Falls
      • Lakshapana
      • Kirindi Falls
      • Bambarakiri Falls
      • Ravana Falls
      • Hunas Falls
    • National Parks >
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      • Maduru Oya NP
      • Gal Oya NP
      • Udawalawe NP
      • Minneriya NP
      • Kaudulla NP
      • Kumana NP
      • Bundala NP
      • Ussangoda
      • leopards
    • Activity Attractions >
      • Kandy Perahera 2023
      • Kithulgala
      • Pinnawela
      • Madu Ganga
      • Muthurajawela
      • Meetiyagoda
      • Rekawa
      • Induruwa
      • Brief Garden
      • Lunuganga
      • Gampaha
      • Kanneliya
      • Bodhinagala
      • Mahapalessa Hot Springs
      • Thoppigala
      • Rufus Kulam
      • Wewurukannala
      • Kalawewa
      • Kandalama
    • Beaches >
      • Beruwela
      • Bentota Beach
      • Balapitiya
      • Ambalangoda
      • Hikkaduwa
      • Unawatuna
      • Weligama
      • Mirissa
      • Dondra
      • Hiriketiya
      • Hoomaniya Blowhole
      • Kirinda
      • Okanda
      • Arugam Bay
      • Thirukkovil
      • Pasikuda
      • Thennadi Bay
      • Nilaveli Beach
      • Pulmoddai
      • Mannar Island
      • Kalpitiya Peninsula
      • Marawila
      • Negombo
    • Jaffna Peninsula >
      • Jaffna
      • Nallur
      • Kandarodai
      • Nilavarai
      • Point Pedro
      • Manalkadu
      • Naguleshvaram
      • Jambukola
      • Nainativu
      • Delft Island
      • Elephant Pass
    • top 20 attractions >
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    • Sri Lanka off the beaten track
  • Blog
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    • Reviews since 2020
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    • Reviews 2015-2020
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